Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent and a compensable rating for the service-connected right knee conditions to correct duty-to-assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome and radiculopathy right lower extremity due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the conditions, including the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and other benefits due to insufficient evidence of disability severity beyond the current ratings.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of May 19, 2021 for the 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the right elbow joint and a 30 percent disability rating for migraine headaches, while denying increased ratings for other conditions.

The appeal of the issues related to increased ratings for various conditions, including tendonitis of the right ankle, osteoarthritis of the left ankle, lumbosacral strain, and radiculopathy in both lower extremities, was dismissed due to a procedural defect.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities as they are not related to the Veteran's in-service frostbite or any other in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for IVDS with DDD, degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.

The Board remands the claim for an addendum medical opinion to address the nature and etiology of the claimed bilateral foot disability, including osteoarthritis.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues listed, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review the appeal.

The Board granted service connection for right and left femoral acetabular impingement syndromes, as well as right and left osteoarthritis of the ankles, finding that these conditions are causally related to a service-connected back disability.

The Board granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and denied initial compensable ratings for sarcoidosis, a scar, status post left ankle surgery, and remanded several other claims.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an effective date of October 24, 2022, for obstructive sleep apnea. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board granted service connection for depressive disorder but denied it for anxiety and did not grant a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 25, 2019.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis left hip, as the evidence did not show a limitation of abduction such that motion was lost beyond 10 degrees.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and basic eligibility of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits as of April 12, 2016.

The Board granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor and considering a private opinion that linked the condition to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded service connection claims.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right shoulder, and right wrist due to a need for additional development.

The Board remands the claim for a retrospective medical opinion addressing functional loss of the lumbar spine prior to October 2020.